Finding propane while traveling

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

Yes, I’m still learning the ropes of this motorhome life. 🙂

What is the secret to finding motorhome- accessible propane while traveling? I’ve read that some truck stops sell it. I recently stopped at a Pilot in our travels, thinking to top off before heading home, but no joy.

I can fill up near home, and in warm weather I can go almost forever without filling (unless I run the generator a lot), but traveling in cooler weather finding propane will become an issue.

I contacted a couple of propane sources while on our most recent trip. If we had portable tanks, they could help, but not for filling a large built-in tank.

Is there a web site which will list sources for RV propane when in an unfamiliar area? If there were a propane equivalent to gasbuddy.com that would be terrific!

Any other tips or secrets?

Thanks!

Wayne

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

footslogger wrote:
. . . There is an RV dealer near my home that sells LP for $0.99/gallon ($10 minimum). . .

We will pass through NC often enough. Will you share the name and city of this dealer?

Wayne

[gsf35099]

dewey02 wrote:
AllStays App shows propane locations, in addition to campgrounds, RV repair shops, Walmart overnight places, and lots more. Allstays is one great RV app.

X2. This is one of the greatest apps I have found for RV'ing. You can filter to show LPG and it will show all available where you are at the time. It has really helped us in our travels.

[footslogger]

This probably won't be useful to anyone else on this forum, but I'm going to gloat a little. There is an RV dealer near my home that sells LP for $0.99/gallon ($10 minimum). I asked them one time how/why they do that. The guy said they sell it at a loss just to get RV customers into the store. Access is super easy; they have a bright yellow line on the pavement leading you from the entry gate to the tank. That takes you right to the tank and everyone is going in the right direction.

We have a diesel furnace and only use LP for cooking indoors (rarely) and to run the fridge when 120VAC is not available. Consequently, we usually only fill about once per year, even though we spend about 8-9 months per year traveling. When we do buy LP on the road, we have never had any problem finding a place that can accmmodate our rig. We usually look for a distributor in a smallish town. We may call ahead or scout with the car before pulling in. We have filled at Flying J but usually find their tanks are blocked by rigs filling with fuel in the RV lane, causing a long wait.

[True_temper]

My house tank doesn't have a wet leg, but it fills from the end centre. I make sure that the tank is over half full to get liquid. One time I needed propane an the tank was under 1/2 full I picked up the other eng of the tank with my backhoe to get liquid.

[jhilley]

True temper wrote:
Just fill your coach out of your house tank. That's what I have been doing for years. You just need to get a hose to connect the two tanks. Saves a lot of money and you can top it off any time.

How do you get the liquid from the main tank to the motor home tank. Is you main tank higher so that it uses gravity? Does your main tank have a liquid port?

[True_temper]

Just fill your coach out of your house tank. That's what I have been doing for years. You just need to get a hose to connect the two tanks. Saves a lot of money and you can top it off any time.

[cmcdar]

In the east, BJ's Wholesale Clubs have good prices on propane. They refill your tanks, not the swap out kind.

[stugpanzer]

Our local Menards has a LP fill station.

[2gypsies1]

We never had a problem finding propane. All the above suggestions are good but also check out the bigger service stations - not just truck stops. Usually you can spot their big propane tank near the entrance.

[dewey02]

AllStays App shows propane locations, in addition to campgrounds, RV repair shops, Walmart overnight places, and lots more. Allstays is one great RV app.

[prstlk]

If you have a decent gps you should find many choices available. The larger the town the more choices you will have. A quick phone call can confirm access. The best pricing is usually found at full blown propane dealers, not secondary resellers. Given the way our rig uses propane (full time lots dry camping every 6 weeks is good) Access is more important then price.
all imho

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

04fxsts wrote:
Pilot stations also may have propane, but not all do. You might want to check because my local Pilot has LP but it is not listed on their web site. Jim.

The manager of the Pilot that I stopped at told me that the web site said that they had it, but they do not.

I’ve run into the problem of pulling into a place and whoever can pump propane is not there. If I’m making a special trip out for it, I now know to call first.

I’ve had several experiences with places that fill portable tanks only. One place was willing to fill the tank, but their pump was not very accessible and their hose was too short to reach where I felt I could safely park the coach.

Another of my complaints with buying from the supplier in my stick home: To have it filled, I’m supposed to find someone from the warehouse to do it. (Dealer is a farm supply store.) The one time I had it filled there, I belatedly discovered that the semi-trained warehouse worker filled the tank to 100%. Naturally, the tank vented the excess and I lost 7 or 8 gallons of propane at $4 per gallon. It would be so much simpler if the driver who delivers to our stick home could also fill the tank on the coach. I would trust that he knows what he’s doing.

We have a TSC not too far away, so I can check there for a local source. I will also check out other local propane dealers, but since we live in such a remote area, there are few choices and those are not too close. That’s why I want to find sources to fill up on the way home before parking the rig.

I will explore the apps. Thanks!

Wayne

[Canadian_Rainbi]

Empty Nest, Soon wrote:

Johno02 wrote:
. . . Most propane companies will fill your tank from one of their trucks, but WILL NOT deliver to your campground.

OP here.

Curiously enough, we use propane at home and my propane supplier will not fill the coach tank when they deliver to the big tank. When I go to their facility, I pay about 75% more per gallon. In fact, they are more expensive than the other local place for filling the coach, but more easily accessible with the coach.

Maybe I need to look for a new supplier at home.

Wayne

We have done the same here, the price was the same. Not feasible on a regular basis as we only fill the stick house tank every two years! (cooking only). We also once had the Septic Tank service empty our black and gray water tanks when he came to empty the septic tank.

He knew enough to NOT run the pump full on and to make sure the toilet flap was open!

To the OP: we have had little problem filling our 32' even with the toad attached. Flying J, Campgrounds, the occasional special Propane fuel stop.

[Johno02]

It does seem funny aboyt a truck coming to fill your residential tank, but not your RV. We say this in Missouri also. Heard something about laws or regulations not permitting it. Anybody ever hear any such thing??